KEEPING HOUSES FREE OF FLIES

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30587, 2 November 1964, Page 8

KEEPING HOUSES FREE OF FLIES

Because flies excrete up to a dozen times every hour, regurgitate half-digested food containing disease germs, and carry dirt ana germs on their flue-brush-like legs, every effort should be made to keep them out of the house, and particularly to prevent them contaminating food utensils, says Mr A. P. MiUthorpe, chief Christchurch City health inspector.

Milk jugs and sugar basins should always be covered, even at meals, Mr MiUthorpe said. No foods should be left unprotected for any length of time, particularly meats (cooked or uncooked), milk, custards, and cream. “Perishable food should be kept either in the refrigerator or in a ventilated safe on the coot side of the house. The gauze of such a safe should be checked regularly. File* and ’Flu

“A lot of tummy ’flu’ is the result of food infections caused by flies,” Mr Millthorpe said. “Don’t tolerate flies inside the house. Flies avoid draughts, therefore good ventilation is desirable. Flyproofing of windows on sunny walls is good. Flies that succeed in entering the house should be despatched promptly.

“FHe* love an uncovered dustbin. A regulation bin with a well-fitting lid 1* essential, while wrapping of scraps is an additional precaution. “But, lint and foremost, flies must be stopped from breeding. Heap* of unprotected animal manure or garden refuse offer an open invitation to flies to lay their egg*. Manure Check “Deliveries of stable manure should be examined for fly larvae (maggots) or pupae (chrysalises) and treated with a larvicide if found infested. Kerosene and disinfectants are not insecticides.”